Are you an experienced planning professional with a proven track record of leading major development projects and navigating complex planning challenges? We are seeking an exceptional Principal Planning Officer to play a key leadership role within our Development Management team, delivering strategic developments that shape communities and support sustainable growth.
This is an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated planning professional who thrives when working collaboratively with stakeholders, developers, elected members, and multidisciplinary teams to deliver positive outcomes.
The Role
As a Principal Planning Officer, you will act as a lead officer within Development Management, taking responsibility for the determination of major and strategic planning applications, related appeals, and developer enquiries.
You will lead and coordinate multi-disciplinary project teams, managing complex planning matters from pre-application stage through to determination and implementation. Working with a high degree of autonomy, you will provide expert planning advice to senior officers, councillors, developers, consultees, and external stakeholders on developments that have significant impacts on infrastructure, investment, and long-term growth.
A key aspect of the role is representing the Council at the highest levels, engaging directly with developers, Directors, Managing Directors, consultants, legal representatives, elected members, and partner organisations to negotiate and secure successful planning outcomes.
You will also lead negotiations on Section 106 Agreements and other planning obligations, ensuring developments deliver appropriate infrastructure, mitigation measures, and community benefits while safeguarding the Council's interests.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead a caseload of major and strategic planning applications and associated appeals.
- Determine planning applications under delegated powers.
- Manage and coordinate multi-disciplinary project teams on complex developments.
- Represent the Council in negotiations with senior external stakeholders, developers, landowners, and planning agents.
- Negotiate planning obligations, legal agreements, trigger points, review mechanisms, and mitigation packages.
- Prepare and present reports to Planning Committee, senior management, and elected members.
- Provide expert professional advice on complex planning matters.
- Support the wider objectives and professional work of the Planning Service.
- Mentor and support junior planning officers where required.
- Build strong working relationships across internal and external stakeholder groups to achieve successful development outcomes.
Non-Negotiable Experience
Evidence of successfully managing major residential developments of 1,000+ units.
Applications without demonstrable experience at this scale will not be considered.
Proven experience managing and determining major planning applications within a Local Authority Development Management environment.
Outstanding communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
We are looking for someone who understands that successful planning outcomes are achieved through collaboration, influence, and relationship-building. The ability to work constructively with developers, stakeholders, consultees, councillors, and colleagues to overcome challenges is essential.
This is a hybrid role with Mondays being an office based day for team meetings.
All offers will be subject to satisfactory compliance screening, including right to work in the UK and references.
